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“The Pentagon’s proposed ‘Total Information Awareness’ (TIA) surveillance system is coming under increasing attack. In an open letter sent yesterday, a coalition of over 30 civil liberties groups urged Senators Thomas Daschle (D-SD) and Trent Lott (R-MS) to ‘act immediately to stop the development of this unconstitutional system of public surveillance.’ Newspapers across the country have written editorials castigating the program. The New York Times has said that ‘Congress should shut down the program pending a thorough investigation.’ The Washington Post wrote, ‘The defense secretary should appoint an outside committee to oversee it before it proceeds.’ William Safire’s recent column, which played a major role in igniting the public outcry, called the surveillance system ‘a supersnooper’s dream.’”